Just last week, Biking for Babies completed its 10th annual crosscountry ride to raise both funds and awareness for pregnancy resource centers. The group’s mission is “to renew the Culture of Life, one pedal stroke and one pregnancy resource center at time, by increasing PRC awareness, raising financial and spiritual support, and forming pro-life missionaries.” Since its inception in 2009, the brain child of college buddies Mike Schaefer and Jimmy Becker, Biking for Babies has raised over $500,000 to support the life-saving work of PRCs. See the video of this year’s riders giving shout-outs to their PRC partners here.
In its first year alone, thanks to generous friends and family, the two-man team of Mike and Jimmy biked some 600 miles and raised $14,000 for a pregnancy resource center. From the two bikers in 2009, this year’s ranks swelled to 23 riders split up amongst four teams, covering some 2,500 miles en route to a “Celebration of Life” rally in St. Louis. Some 60 young people have participated as riders over the years, with many bikers participating multiple years or returning as ride support staff or even year-round employees. Riders follow a 22-week training schedule to ensure that they’re in physical shape for the demanding ride.
Posts on the group’s Facebook page show smiling young men and women, sometimes with host families or the staff of pregnancy resource centers where they stop along the way. One is struck by the unmistakable joy on their faces, even when posting videos after grueling days of hard work, heat, flat tires, and so on.
WATCH: Women tell the truth about pregnancy centers — and it’s not what the media says
A Facebook post from July 12th commemorating Biking for Babies‘ 10th anniversary reads:
Biking for Babies started because two young men were inspired to make the spirit of pro-life work more accessible to others and themselves—trying to experience, in some small measure, the endurance and commitment that is tried upon the young women and families in the face of an unexpected pregnancy. The history of Biking for Babies is not best understood in miles bicycled or money fundraised, but, rather is part of the penetrating story of pro-life work that is alive and growing stronger—in our families, churches, communities, and in our own hearts.
The ride may be over, but it’s not too late to support the mission. Applications for the 2020 team can be found here.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!
